Family of slaying victim makes emotional plea

The four daughters of homicide victim Ann Davis today asked anyone who might have any information in the mother's death to come forward with the information.

The four held a brief but emotional news conference in the Syracuse police's Criminal Investigation Division on the third floor of the Public Safety Building.

Davis, 61, was found dead in her home at 313 Hutchinson Ave.late Saturday night after police found her car abandonned and running at a pizza shop about a mile and a half away from her home.

"We're here today as the daughters of Ann Davis to plead for any information that anyone can give us," Michelle Grams said. "I beg you please, please, if you have any information, contact the police."

Grams was joined by her sisters Kelly Davis, Janette Ranieri and Lynn Radziseski at a table to field questions from the media. The four said the idea for the sit-down with the press was their idea, not the police.

Besides her four daughters, Davis has eight grandchildren. The family has gathered for Davis' funeral, they said. Calling hours are scheduled for today and services will be tomorrow.

The dress Davis will be buried in is one that Raneiri helped pick out two weekends ago at the Carousel Mall, Raneiri said.

The trip was a tradition for the mother and daughter since the mother started going to the annual Marine Ball several years ago, Raneiri said.

Police had little to add to what is already known about the investigation. Sgt. Tom Connellan, who was at the news conference, confirmed for the first time that police did find Davis' car idling at Sabatino's Pizza and Deli at 121 Ballentyne Road. The blue Ford Taurus was believed to have been dropped off in the pizza shop's parking lot around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Connellan said. The owner of the shop called 911 to tell them about the car around 8:30 p.m., Connellan said.

Police arrived at the parking lot around 10:35 p.m. and determined the car was not reported stolen, Connellan said.

Officers were sent to Davis' home to see if she knew her car was missing and discovered her body about 11:10 p.m. Saturday.

Connellan said police would like to talk to anyone who may have seen anyone in or around the Taurus in the parking lot of Sabatino's between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Anyone with information may call the Criminal Investigation Division at 442-5222.